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Adolescent Depression Treatment

St. Joseph’s Adolescent Medicine Center in Phoenix, Arizona specializes in adolescent health and can help teens struggling with depression.

Depression is a serious problem that can impact every aspect of an adolescent’s life. If left untreated, depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse, and even irreversible tragedy such as violence or suicide. Fortunately, teenage depression can be treated.  

Symptoms Of Depression In Teens

Depression in teens can look differently than it does it adults. The following symptoms of depression are more common in teenagers than in adults.

  • Irritable or angry mood – Irritability is often the predominant mood in depressed teens.
  • Unexplained aches and pains – Depressed teens frequently complain about physical ailments. If a thorough physical exam does not reveal a medical cause, these aches and pains may indicate depression.
  • Extreme sensitivity to criticism – Depressed teens are weighed down by feelings of worthlessness, making them extremely vulnerable to criticism, rejection, and failure.
  • Withdrawing from some, but not all people – While adults tend to isolate themselves when depressed, teenagers usually keep up at least some friendships. However, teens with depression may socialize less than before, pull away from their parents, or start hanging out with a different crowd.

When determining if an adolescent is depressed, you may want to look at:

  • How long the symptoms have been present
  • How severe they are
  • How different the teen is acting from his or her usual self

While some changes are to be expected as teenagers deal with the challenges of growing up, dramatic changes in personality, mood or behavior can be red flags of a deeper problem.

Treatment For Depression In Adolescents

If left untreated, depression can be very damaging, so if you see depression warning signs in a teen, please call. At St. Joseph’s Adolescent Medicine Clinic, we believe in a multi-pronged approach to treating depression, including medication and counseling.

Supporting A Teen Through Depression

There are many ways that you can support your teen through depression. These may include:

  • Be understanding
  • Encourage physical activity-exercise can help relieve some of the symptoms of depression
  • Encourage social activity - Isolation only makes depression worse, so encourage teenagers suffering from depression to see friends
  • Stay involved in treatment
  • Learn about depression

Learn More About The Adolescent Medicine Clinic

To learn more about how St. Joseph’s Adolescent Medicine Clinic can help your teen with depression, call (602) 406-7564.